Your personality is a very big part of your delivery in teaching. If you don't have a personality your delivery may come off as very unappealing, boring and drab. Not doing much for capturing your audience. May want to go in another professional field.
Hi Margaret:
I agree as well. There are few attributes as important that an instructor can possess than passion, enthusiasm, courtesy, respect, and knowledge.
When students feel good about their learning environment they're bound to do better in class and as graduate workforce employess. Some instructors are more natural in their delivery or presentation, but I believe anyone who is detremined to be the best instructor they can be can learn techniques that emulate these traits.
Regards, Barry
I agree with Cindy. I think you can make suggestions about being upbeat, etc. but an instructors natural passion/enthusiasm for their subject and student makes a real difference.
Hi Janet:
You make a good point. We've all had intersting, fun, and enjoyable teachers. We've probably also had teachers that were dull, boring, and less than exciting - even though they may been the most knowlegeable teachers around. I think it's true that students will learn better in an environment they're comfortable in.
Feedback from peers, students, evaluations, classroom observations, these all can help provide clues to where a teacher may need to liven things up a bit. Even sitting in some of their peers classes can be helpful. Our focus - student learning.
Regards, Barry
Hi Cindy:
Good point. I really believe the more honest and real we are, the better chance we have of connecting with students in a more personal way. When instructors are confident and real, even if they arn't the most popular, at least students can count on consistent, relevant interactions, which may contribute to a more stable classroom experience.
Regards, Barry
I have always stated that personality is not something you can train a new instructor to have. You either have it or you don't. You can go through and learn certain techniques but when all is said and done your own personality will come through in the long run.
An instructor that can bring their own distinct personality to the classroom and let the students see the as a "person" (hence the person in personality) allows the students to become at ease when approaching instructors (even in the online environment).
I don't think personality is as important as the media that is available in the classroom and the needs of the content. I like to use powerpoint and DVDs and youtube when I teacher theatre history, but I don't think that is because of my personality. I need to show theatre-related content.
Hi Sarah:
Good points. I agree there is a lot of information displayed in non-verbal cues and clues from students. There are many ways to engage individual class members but emphasis is on getting them involved and (hopefully) interested.
Regards, Barry
I teach verbal communications so I try to model the skills they will use in presentation. I also let them know I can make mistakes too..um..um...
What I have always done is work on being the highest energy in the room. I see my class as an audience and I am constantly keeping tabs on their non-verbal communication, so that I know when to modify. Because a lot of people are scared of public speaking, I get them involved and up on their feet. I always work on getting them to do something with minimal instruction. This seems to keep them open to observing new thought.
Hi Karen:
You are on the right track Karen. Although we want to be professional and maintain control of the class, that doesn't mean we can't "be normal" as individuals, and I think the students will appreciate that normal-ness, more than some lofty, unapproachable type of personality.
Regards, Barry
When I am teaching, I am really just being myself, I let my own personality come through. I think that it lets the students know that I am approachable and allows them to feel at ease in the classroom.. At the same time they also know that I am serious about my work and the the work that I expect from them. I think you can let your personality shine but know where to draw the line.
Hi Jason:
Q and A is great. It stimulates thought and provides a forum to discuss a little or a lot depending on the emphasis needed.
Regards, Barry
Hi Anthony:
I think letting students see that as instructors, we are human and capable of making mistakes can be an attribute to minimizing potential barriers students may have to an instructor.
Regards, Barry
Hi Cara:
Good! The use of simple emphasis - the tone, the pitch, the expression - all of these and more dictate or telegrapgh a message to the students.
Regards, Barry
I present the material in an extemporaneous manner. I include direct question and answer sessions within my lecture / seminar to confirm that the students understand the historical, current and future application of the material.
It makes the class more of your own and the students know that it is "you" teaching the class, not just the "teacher" in front of them.
Depending on how I deliver the materail, this will let the students know how important the subject is and that they should pay close attention.
